BROOKHAVEN — It has been over a month since the fiery flames lit up the night sky in the Pearlhaven neighborhood as a local landmark burned on February 26, 2024. Yellow caution tape and the fire scarred brick are all that remain of the former Stahl-Urban building on Main Street. 

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History deemed the building had lost its historical significance after the fire and thus was no longer a Mississippi landmark. The change in status meant a permit was no longer needed for the building to be demolished. 

City Engineer Mike McKenzie, with WGK Engineering, gave the Brookhaven Board of Aldermen an update Tuesday evening. 

“The environmental phase one assessment of the Stahl-Urban property is underway,” McKenzie said. “As soon as we get those results from MDEQ we will get permission from you to tear it down or demolish it. Those are the hoops we have to jump through.” 

The City of Brookhaven owns the property and a developer is interested in acquiring the parcel. 

No one was believed to have been in the building and thus to be hurt or killed in the fire. The Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause and origin of the fire. At this time, the office has no update on the investigation other than it is ongoing. 

Check back for more updates on the aftermath of the Stahl-Urban fire.